Although it's still early in the season for both Grand Valley State basketball programs, the women’s team has come out to an especially strong start in their season and GLIAC play.

A major reason for that success has been senior forward Taylor Parmley, who was recently named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week after two breakout performances against GLIAC opponents Wayne State on Thursday, Nov. 30, and Davenport University on Saturday, Dec. 2.

This is the first time in Parmley’s career that she has been awarded the GLIAC weekly honors, and she is the first Laker to receive the honor this season. Against Wayne State, Parmley posted a career-high 31 points and 11 rebounds for her first-ever career double-double in the team’s 73-67 overtime victory for GVSU’s first conference win. Out of her 20 attempted shots, Parmley hit 14 at a 70-percent clip. One of those makes included her layup that sent the game into overtime with two seconds remaining in regulation.

Two days later, Parmley scored 16 points and accumulated six rebounds to help the Lakers defeat Davenport by an easy 75-41 victory. Out of her nine shot attempts, Parmley hit five, plus six free throws.

The Lakers (8-2, 3-1 GLIAC) now head to Hammond, Indiana, to face Purdue Northwest on Saturday, Dec. 16.

GVSU soccer earns five All-American nods, Mencotti grabs D2CCA Player of the Year

The final stage of the fall awards and recognition are here, and the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team will be experiencing their fair share of All-American recognition for their stellar play this season.

For the second straight season in a row, GVSU senior forward Gabriella Mencotti has been named D2CCA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 30 goals and 70 points this season. This is the third straight season that a GVSU women’s soccer player has captured Player of the Year honors (Marti Corby in 2015). Mencotti also earned All-American honors to go along with her other accolades from this season (GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, HERO of the Year and GLIAC Tournament MVP).

The other four All-American nods from GVSU come from senior defenders Dani Johnson and Shannon Quinn, junior midfielder Tara Lierman, and freshman defender Cecilia Steinwascher. Since 2006, the Lakers have had 55 total D2CCA All-American nods.

The Lakers won their 13th straight GLIAC regular-season title and 11th consecutive tournament title. Their quest for a ninth straight Final Four appearance was denied in an Elite 8 loss to the eventual National Champion Jennies of Central Missouri, who finished the year undefeated.

GVSU club wrestling competes at Mott Bear Classic

The season has been heating up for the Grand Valley State men’s club wrestling team as they competed in the Mott Bear Classic on Sunday, Dec. 3, in Flint, Michigan.

The Lakers sent nine participants to the event, claiming nine top-four finishes, six finalists and three titles. Senior Nick Reddy won the title in the 141-pound weight class; junior Jake Sobeck won the 165-pound weight class; and senior Nick Verran won the 197-pound weight class. Also placing were Nico Martini (third, 149); Nick Chapman (third, 174); and Langston Mitchell (fourth, 285).